jwilson 0 #1 March 3, 2003 I went to Orlando this weekend and took myG/f to universal . Afterwards we went over to Skyventure to fly a little , She wants to skydive soon so i thought the wind tunnel would be cool for her . Unfortunately when we got there they said they didn't have any time available until tuesday . They had a "tunnel camp " going on . The guy at the counter said they have some teams that are booking 12hr blocks in there. So we didn't get to fly I would think that since the place is in the middle of a huge tourist area that they would at least make some time available for people that aren't on a team or part of the"tunnel camp". I mean Geez 12hr blocks for one team . They might as well just do 4 way tunnel compatition and skip the skydiving . Anyway , If your planning to go to skyventure any time soon you'll probably need to call ahead to see if they have any time . Jay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superstu 0 #2 March 3, 2003 yea, i have a 15 minute slot thanks to arlo for the last week in march, and that was almost full. but i can't wait, my sis is gonna try it to for a couple of minutes as well.Slip Stream Air Sports Do not go softly, do not go quietly, never back down Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #3 March 3, 2003 I think I read that this has been a problem in the past and that thhey are building a second tunnel somewhere in Fla? I am not 100% sure where I saw it but am pretty sure I did see it somewhere. The new tunnel was gooing to be a slightly different design or something like that??? Any help over here!?!? Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #4 March 3, 2003 Quite a few teams fly from very far away to get coaching in the tunnel. Apart from their flights and tunnel-time they also pay for coaching. So, why should Skyventure make allowances for tourists? Most of those tourists will only flail around for a couple of minutes. If you were running the business which customer would you rather have? Someone who buys an entire block or someone who just wants a couple of minutes to flail around? A decent group of flat-flyers with coach won't need a Skyventure employee in there to keep them from banging off the walls either. From a business point of view it makes more sense to sell large blocks of tunnel time to skydivers. Will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #5 March 3, 2003 Quote They might as well just do 4 way tunnel compatition and skip the skydiving already started doing that____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #6 March 3, 2003 Not gonna defend the tunnel people because it is expensive and it is hard to book time, but the demand is good for the business. More tunnels are being built, and hopefully the price will come down. I've been to the one in Vegas twice - it's the oldest and has it's drawbacks, but there's rarely much more than an hour or two wait. I hope you are able to book time in advance for your next trip - they are great fun! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #7 March 3, 2003 To the best of my knowledge, they're building the new one on the same property. So very soon they will be able to accomodate both tourists and skydivers a little better.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jwilson 0 #8 March 3, 2003 Yes , I agree with you that it's good for their bussiness and I'm definitely not flaming them for it . However , from what I saw they do still have a skyventure employee in there with them. I also think that if they're gonna advertise as a "skydiving attraction" in a tourist area then they should make some time available for that purpose . I personally don't have any interest in skydiving comp. other than watching , I'm strictly a fun jumper . But I think if I was coming to Florida to train I would be somewhere they had an airplane. I know the guys are here jumping also and I'm not trying to start a debate here . It would just be nice if the average person could come in and get to fly even if you have to wait an hour or even the next day . But having to make reservations several days in advance sucks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #9 March 3, 2003 Look at the bigger picture : a lot of people fly to Florida specifically to do training in the tunnel. This means more business for airlines, car-hire, hotels etc. If it wasn't for the tunnel those people would probably not be in Florida. It makes sense for Skyventure to target skydivers as their nr.1 potential customers and the tunnel has brought a LOT of money into the area/state/country from visiting foreign teams. Then of course there is the new work it provided for people already established in the sport. The freefly guys from Sebastian, Majik, Airspeed, XL etc. have all been able to earn some money while improving peoples' skills (and their own!). Sorry, but I am biased towards the skydivers. I hope the second tunnel can accommodate more tourists. Also, Skyventure tunnels opening around the world will mean less demand from foreign skydivers for tunnel-time in Orlando. But will I lose any sleep over whuffos who couldn't get any tunnel-time because they didn't know they had to book? Not really - there are plenty of DZs in Florida where they can go do a tandem instead....Will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #10 March 3, 2003 Calm down Will.. wuffos are our friends..... we need to be nice to them.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #11 March 3, 2003 As long as they are buying the beer and not talking too much, I suppose I can tolerate them... Then again, if I can skydive with Canadians I guess I am willing to tolerate just about anybody... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
harryskydives 0 #12 March 3, 2003 There are several tunnels being planed Elsinor, Perris. One In Maylasia already going. We are Off to Orlando end of the month and most of our time is + or - midnight. I am happy that they are treating us well. Building one is a hugh project. Land, permits, noise, power, money, enviromental impact ect. Don't run out of altitude and experience at the same time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #13 March 3, 2003 A prince amongst men you are....Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jwilson 0 #14 March 3, 2003 yeah, I like to watch the free flyers in there and will probably try and book some time to fly with the guys from Sebastion myself. I also learn alot watching the teams practice as well . I was a bit bummed that my g/f and i didn't get to fly . But hey there will be another time . I didn't post this to rag on the tunnel or the teams who use it , I posted mostly to vent and also to let people know that if they planned on going that they needed to book in advance. i live fairly close and have been to the tunnel several times and have never had to call ahead before . Jay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luna 0 #15 March 3, 2003 In fact, here is how bad it is there. Tunnelcamp.com (Airspeed and Skyventure partnership) is holding a Freefly camp there starting March 21. They went to book the time for it six weeks ago, that's roughly 9 weeks out, and the only time they could get was in the middle of the night. Camp runs from 10pm, all night long. I think adding another tunnel right there is a great idea! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
froglady 0 #16 March 3, 2003 I was just there Feb 23rd and 24th, with a group of 17. We had 18 hours booked, had to book that space back in September and still had time blocks at 6am. Once the west coast tunnel is open that should help, also heard rumors about New Jersey getting one. FrogLady Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #17 March 3, 2003 No worries man. Anyway with the tunnel opening up here in the UK (plus all the others in the states) I think it should become a bit easier for those who haven't booked in advance to get some tunnel time. Will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeemax 0 #18 March 3, 2003 theres a tunnel coming to the UK?? where?? when?? who..?? Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE Performance Designs - Simply brilliant canopies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #19 March 3, 2003 Yes, I was in one of those groups on the 23rd/24th. We books months in advanced and got (Sorry that I forget last names) Jan to take time from her team practice to coach us, and Brian, Scott, and Doug from "Touch of Majic" for coaching also. It was the most I've improved since I started skydiving. Put it this way, we did an 8 way for Carolyn Bizri's 100th the next day, most of us were around the 100 mark and we were all doing the mantis and holding it together. Everyone was doing leg turns in place and it made for a solid jump. The week before it would have been 8 people plus video fucking around until breakoff. The video is awsome. A few tourist groups did come through but I don't think many, considering we'd booked 19 hours over two days. PEACE, Doug"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #20 March 3, 2003 "I'm strictly a fun jumper" So am I, in fact I prefer CRW and then Free-Flying and then RW. But I tell you what....my jumps are now a LOT more fun. Edit: YO Anne (froglady)...thanks for putting the trip together. -Doug"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
